HC Deb 20 June 2000 vol 352 cc148-9W
Mr. Baker

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications for licences under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 were(a) granted unamended, (b) granted in amended form and (c) rejected in the last year for which figures are available. [126332]

Mr. Mike O'Brien

This information is not recorded centrally.

I am advised that the vast majority of project licence applications are revised during negotiations with the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Inspectorate or have conditions added to either restrict or qualify the authorities sought. Proposals which are outside the requirements of the law or not good science will rarely become formal applications (and hence rejections) because most potential applicants seek and take the advice of inspectors at an early stage.

Paragraph 13 of Appendix B of the Statistics of Scientific Procedures on Living Animals (Great Britain) 1998 provides figures for the number of project licences granted and revoked during 1998 and how many were in force on 31 December 1998. A total of 1,104 project licences were granted in 1998. This is also shown subdivided into severity bandings.

Appendix C of the 1998 Statistics contains 10 typical examples of the value added to licence applications by the Inspectorate' s assessment process.

Mr. Baker

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent discussions he has had with Huntingdon Life Sciences; and if he will make a statement. [126264]

Mr. Mike O'Brien

I visited Huntingdon Life Sciences on 8 June 2000 in connection with my responsibilities under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986. During my visit I talked to managers and staff about the campaign of harassment they have experienced from animal rights extremists over recent months. This included meeting two women who had their cars set on fire outside their homes. While it is a long-standing tradition in this country that individuals are free to express their views peacefully, people also have a right to carry out their lawful business without fear of intimidation and violence. The Government unreservedly condemn those who use such repellent tactics and wholeheartedly support the police in their continuing efforts to combat those who use them.